The chemistry of mycophenolic acid--synthesis and modifications towards desired biological activity

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a basis for the immunosuppressive drugs used in clinic against rejection in solid organs transplantations. Since its physiological activity is very promising, numerous studies have been performed to establish mechanism of action, structure - activity relationship (SAR), synthesis of MPA derivatives to improve or extent its clinical use to anticancer one, especially. The reported methods for preparation of MPA analogues have been achieved by semi-synthetic approaches or total synthesis and accomplished by in vitro or / and in vivo evaluations. In this review we would like to bring together chemical aspects of these compounds and their implementations within biological activity, their synthesis and structural modifications referred to the structure-activity relationship (SAR).